Toby Keith Thanks ‘The Almighty’ Amid Stomach Cancer Battle
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country music icon Toby Keith updated his fans about his stomach cancer while accepting an award at the People’s Choice Country Awards.
“I feel pretty good,” Keith told E! News. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, and gown. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but I feel good today.”
“I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. He’s been riding shotgun with me for a little while,” Keith added while accepting the 2023 Country Icon Award.
“I’ve been going through my cancer fight for the last couple of years and it’s really inspiring for a lot of people,” Keith told NBC before the event.
Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the summer of 2022 and has been laying low while undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. However, the star has always talked positively about the future, often saying he can’t wait to return to performing.
The New York Post reports that the singer was “feeling pretty good” in June, “revealing that the tumor in his stomach had shrunk by a third, and his blood tests looked promising.”
“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend… [but] you never know with cancer, so you have to prepare,” he said at the time.
In July, he returned to the stage for the first time since his diagnosis, with a surprise two-night at his restaurant and bar, Hollywood Corners.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Toby Keith performed a surprise show on July 1, his first performance since his stomach cancer diagnosis in June 2022.
“Toby’s first rehearsal turned into a 2 1/2 hour pop-up show. He sang all the hits plus the Bus Songs… Toby is back!” he posted on Instagram following his surprise performance.
Keith followed it up with a second night, saying, “It felt so right, Toby had to do it twice. Two nights in a row @hollywoodcorners. Writing buddy @scottyemerick joined Toby. Nights to remember! Toby’s back!”
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